A World free of poverty

World Bank

History
Founded in 1944,at Bretton Woods, New
Hampshire
First loan to France in 1947 of $250
million
1947 - Incorporation into UN System
1979 - Lending for the fiscal year crosses
the $10 billion mark for the first time
1995 James D. Wolfensohn becomes
Bank president

World Bank

What is the World Bank ?

One of the worlds largest sources of

development assistance (FY 2001

provided more than US$17 billion in
loans)
IBRD has 183 members, IDA has
161, the IFC has 174, MIGA has 154
and ICSID has 133

World Bank

Partners
International Organizations

World Bank

(EU,IMF,UN,WTO)
Affiliates (CGIAR,CGAP, Development
Gateway, GEF)
NGOs and Civil Society
Business and the Private Sector
Donors & Co-financing
Students and the Academic Community

The Bank is Accountable

Information sharing essential for

effective and sustainable

growth.publicly accountable to
member countries
Staff and management held directly
accountable by its members
OED reviews all Bank-financed
projects and reports directly to the
Board
World Bank

Where does the money go?

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Where does the money go? (cont.)

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The role of the World Bank

Partner in strengthening economies and

expanding markets lends money,

doesnt make grants
G-7 members (Canada ,France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and U.S)U.S. has largest shareholding in the Bank
(approximately 17%)
Bank comparable to a Global
Cooperative

World Bank

Conclusion: Lessons of Experience

Challenges
Proposal for a comprehensive

development Framework might be too

holistic
Absolute number of poor people is
rising as a result of rapid population
growth
Resistance by some governments

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