30 May 2007
In spite of international calls for an open, merit-based process for choosing Paul Wolfowitz's successor, President Bush is expected to name Zoellick later this afternoon. His nomination must still be approved by the Bank's Board of Executive Directors.
The extent to which Board members may challenge the nomination remains unclear.
"The White House expects Zoellick to gain the board's acceptance. The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of Bush's announcement, said so far other nations have had a positive reaction," ABC News writes.
The Board released a statement on Tuesday outlining what it perceives to be essential qualifications for the position. It also noted that it hopes to have a new president in place by June 30.
Communication from the Executive Directors on the Selection of the President of the World Bank
Washington DC, May 29, 2007- There has been intense interest in the selection process for the next World Bank President, following the announcement of Mr. Wolfowitz’s resignation effective June 30, 2007. The Executive Directors have met to discuss matters related to the nomination and selection process for the next President of the World Bank.
The Executive Directors have prepared a profile of key qualities for nominees to guide the selection process. The Board believes it is essential for the next World Bank President to have:
- a proven track record of leadership;
- experience managing large, international organizations, a familiarity with the public sector and a willingness to tackle governance reform
- a firm commitment to development;
- a commitment to and appreciation for multilateral cooperation, and
- political objectivity and independence.
As the selection process gets underway, the Board expects an intensive process of formal and informal consultation with the Executive Directors on potential nominees. In addition, they noted that nominations may be made by any Executive Director of the Bank and that the Executive Director for the United States has informed them that the United States will be nominating a candidate.
The Board expects to receive nominations by no later than June 15, 2007 and to complete the process for the selection of the President of the Bank by June 30, 2007.
Resources
- Zoellick to Be Named to World Bank, Jeannine Aversa, AP, May 29, 2007 (ABC News website)
- Worldbankpresident site overhaul complete, but can we overhaul the official process? by Alex Wilks, worldbankpresident.org, May 30, 2007 (worldbankpresident.org website)
- Who will be the next World Bank President? by Bank Information Center, May 29, 2007 (BIC website)
- Zoellick’s bio: Enron, Trilateral Commission, Iraq and free trade, by Alex Wilks, worldbankpresident.org, May 29, 2007 (worldbankpresident.org)
- Communication from the Executive Directors on the Selection of the President of the World Bank, World Bank, May 29, 2007 (World Bank website)