Media Contacts: In Washington: Alejandra Viveros (202) 473-4306 Aviveros@worldbank.org In Brasilia: Mauro Azeredo (55-61) 329-1059 Mazeredo@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, December 15, 2005 – World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz made the following statement upon his arrival in Brazil. “This is my first visit to Latin America as President of the World Bank and my first visit to Brazil. I am delighted to begin my immersion in the region by visiting Brazil, an economic giant, a major global and regional actor, and a country whose great richness and diversity are such an important part of the even greater richness and diversity of the Latin American region as a whole. Over the next few days, I will be traveling to different parts of the country to see for myself both Brazil’s achievements and its challenges. I will be meeting President Lula and Finance Minister Palocci this afternoon to hear more from them on the steps the Government has taken to maintain economic stability and growth, while focusing on social issues. I also want to hear their views of Brazil’s relationship with the World Bank Group and how we can strengthen that partnership. During my visit I hope to learn about the efforts Brazil is making to promote inclusive growth and reduce entrenched inequality. Throughout Latin America, there is an urgent need to create equality of opportunities for the poor, not only to improve their lives, but also to increase their ability to contribute to the economy and to society. Programs that directly target the poor such as Bolsa Familia – which can serve as a model for other countries – are of special interest. Brazil is a major exporter of industrial, technological and agricultural products, ranging from soybeans to aircraft. This has given it a leading role as one of the most important emerging economies in the global trade debate. Sound management of natural resources and the environment have emerged as a key concern for the World Bank in the 21st century and Brazil – by its sheer size, richness and abundance of its natural resources– is a key player in promoting environmental sustainability in this area. Together, we have an opportunity to advance the energy and development dialogue as we seek innovative uses for emerging technologies. I will be visiting local communities in the Amazon, in the Tapajos and Santarem region, where a number of creative experiences are taking place in the area of community-driven development. This is a path to growth and prosperity that is friendly to the environment and inclusive of those who have historically been left behind, such as women, youth, and indigenous groups. Like other middle-income countries in Latin America, Brazil faces the challenge of enabling the poorest of its people to enjoy the opportunities that it success increasingly brings to the more fortunate of its people. With 25 percent of the population of Latin America still living in poverty, overcoming poverty remains a major challenge for Brazil and other middle-income countries, a challenge the World Bank Group is committed to working on.” - | 
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