Contacts In Washington : Elisabeth Mealey (+1 202) 458 4475 emealey@worldbank.org Geetanjali Chopra (+1 202) 473 0243 gchopra@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, July 25, 2007—World Bank President, Robert B. Zoellick, embarks next week on his first official trip. He will visit: Australia to attend the meeting of APEC Finance Ministers, so he can gain insights from officials across the Asia Pacific, while also meeting Australian leaders; Cambodia and Vietnam, where he will join local Bank staff to see first hand the challenges facing two countries at very different stages of development; and Japan, for talks with a major shareholder and host of the G8 next year. The trip complements a visit that Mr. Zoellick made last month to Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Latin America, as a nominee to the World Bank post, to listen and learn how the Bank can play a more effective role in promoting global development. Announcing the upcoming trip at a media briefing in Washington today, Mr. Zoellick said his visit was an opportunity to continue his dialogue with stakeholders, adding that the journey to Japan would also give him a chance to acknowledge its generous and important support to the World Bank. “As one of the largest contributors to foreign aid in the world and the World Bank’s second largest shareholder, Japan is a vital global development player,” Mr. Zoellick said. “Japan’s cooperation with the World Bank, particularly through the Bank’s soft lending arm — the International Development Association (IDA) — has contributed to progress in Africa and the poorest countries, and we hope to encourage the continuation of that generous support,” he added. The APEC gathering offers Mr. Zoellick an opportunity to meet many Finance Ministers from across the Asia Pacific. In addition to outlining his ideas about the World Bank and seeking the perspectives of the Ministers, Mr. Zoellick will take part in the APEC discussions on promoting more inclusive globalization, climate change and energy security, development of capital markets, transparency in public financial management, and South-South cooperation. “Ten years after the East Asian financial crisis, the region has become an important source of growth and dynamism,” he said. “I look forward to exchanging views with APEC partners on future challenges, which include meeting the dual goals of sustaining growth and overcoming poverty, while increasing energy efficiency and environmental protection in a region where demand is growing rapidly.” While in Australia, Mr. Zoellick will also meet with Australian leaders to discuss the country’s role as an important contributor to the World Bank, and its comprehensive development reforms. Mr. Zoellick will meet with Treasury and AusAID officials to identify opportunities for stronger cooperation, particularly in helping Pacific states address their unique development challenges. In Cambodia and Vietnam, Mr. Zoellick will hold talks with government officials, business leaders and members of civil society organizations. He will travel to rural areas to see various development projects and meet people who have benefited from Bank support to secure land rights for the poor and improve livelihoods through better rural roads, small-scale irrigation, and basic education and health services. “Vietnam is a great development story from which many other developing countries can learn,” Mr. Zoellick said. “I want to listen to our stakeholders and learn how the Government has used the money and development expertise provided through the International Development Association (IDA). It is one of the most powerful examples of how IDA works as a platform that supports the work of all donors and development partners.” “Cambodia — which is at a different stage in its development — is emerging as a vibrant economy, having posted double-digit growth for the past three years. But the challenges of building institutions and improving the governance environment are major ones, and I will be interested to learn more from the people behind the push for reform.” Mr. Zoellick leaves for Australia on July 30 and returns to Washington on 9 August. # # # |
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