MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima congratulated Dr. Jim Yong Kim for his election as the new president of World Bank (WB).
In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) head said the Philippines assures Kim of its continued support to the multilateral agency under his leadership as the Bank moves to ensure that sustainable and inclusive growth is experienced across all nations.
“We are eager to work with Dr. Kim, a development expert and an anthropologist, on strengthening the Bank's initiatives toward uplifting people's lives – a mission that Dr. Kim has lived throughout his work in international development," Purisima said.
Before the World Bank election, Purisima has already thrown his support behind the United States nominee to the top post.
“The Philippines and the World Bank group have already achieved significant milestones in eradicating poverty, strengthening governance, and boosting economic growth. We hope to further deepen this partnership with the Bank under Dr. Kim's leadership," Purisima said.
The World Bank, one of two multilateral organizations created by the Brettonwoods Agreement after the Great Depression, selected its new leader as Robert Zoellick, its current president, steps down by June 30.
Aside from Kim, Former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo and Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala were also nominated for the post traditionally held by an American.
The Finance chief pointed to Kim’s track record of working with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “new focus” for the World Bank, “one that connects financial and economic stability to a direct and sustainable prosperity not only to nations, but more importantly to people.” Korean-born Kim is a former director of WHO’s Department of HIV/AIDS who led initiatives to treat 3 million people infected by the virus in the developing countries from 2003 to 2007. He is also a co-founder and board member of Boston-based Partners in Health which aims to provide universal access to primary health care to poor nations, especially on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
“As we move toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, Mr. Kim’s expertise in anthropology and development will surely be an asset to the World Bank,” Purisima said, referring to the set of goals agreed by the United Nations.
source: mb.com.ph
