World Bank chief urges countries to support `End Poverty' campaign

October 13, 2012 18:09

 NAN-F-2

Edith Nnaji


Campaign

Tokyo, Oct. 14, 2012 (NAN) The World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim has called on all countries to join the bank to support the campaign on `End Poverty’ to help the poorest of the poor in the society.

Kim made the remark at the on-going Annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

``For me, that message `End Poverty’ is what I think about every day on my job as president of the World Bank Group.

``I think of that message and the message of boosting shared prosperity so that families or young people can have hope for a brighter future that includes a good job, access to health care and good education.

``The economic environment today is tough and very disconcerting, so I believe that the World Bank Group has a role to play in all countries around the world.

``Also, all countries of the world can work with the World Bank to find solutions to some of the most difficult issues in development today,’’ he said.

 He added that he would want the bank to transform from a knowledge bank to a solutions bank that will be a clearinghouse of ideas from the north and the south on how to, most effectively, deliver services to those who need them the most.

He emphasised the importance of keeping developing countries in the forefront adding that over one million people still live in absolute poverty.

``We must all work to make sure that the impressive gains in Latin America, Africa, and Asia over the past generation are not lost now.

``In just the last few years, growth from developing countries accounted for more than half of global growth. It is in everyone’s interest that these countries continue to grow and continue to be such strong contributors to the global economy,’’ he added

He commended the Japanese government for effectively hosting the annual conference.

``I want to thank the Japanese people and the government of Japan for a truly outstanding meeting.

``The Japanese government, I think, demonstrated to all of us the character of the Japanese people by responding to the great tragedy of March 11, 2011.

``They have also insisted that these meetings focus on ensuring that all countries, especially developing countries, have access to all the tools that they need for disaster risk management,’’ he said.

He further announced Ms Mayu Muto, from Hiroshima Prefectural Yoshida Senior High School, as the winner of the World Bank High School/Junior High School Development Slogan Contest. (NAN)

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