8 August 2007
New World Bank President Robert Zoellick recently returned to Washington, DC following a Pacific tour.
In his first official overseas trip as World Bank President, Robert Zoellick spanned four nations of the Asia-Pacific over the course of 11 days, meeting individuals ranging from high government officials to garment workers.
Beginning in Australia in the end of July, Zoellick attended a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the major promotor of free trade and economic cooperation in the region.
His next stop was Cambodia, where he spoke of the need for improved governance and ending corruption, particularly following the recent discovery of oil and gas in the nation. “In too many countries, resource income has fueled corruption and been squandered," he remarked.
In Vietnam, Zoellick toured Bank-funded projects, including a vocational school for disadvantaged students in Hanoi on Tuesday. He praised the country's efforts to fight corruption and poverty.
”Vietnam has the potential to be one of the great success stories in development. It has already achieved one of the fastest improvements in living standards in the world,” he said remarks that made headlines.
Zoellick's last stop was in Japan, whose stake in the World Bank is second only to the United States. There he pledged to work closely with Tokyo to assist impoverished nations before the Group of Eight summit convenes in the nation next year.
Sources
Asia-Pacific the first destination of new World Bank President, The World Bank Office of the President, July 25, 2007 (World Bank website)
World Bank chief Australia-bound for APEC, by Anne Davies, The Age, July 27, 2007
World Bank chief praises Vietnam, Associated Press, August 7, 2007 (Forbes website)
Vietnam Striving to Become Middle-Income Country, World Bank President says, The World Bank News and Broadcast, August 7, 2007 (World Bank website)
World Bank chief visits Japan, Servihoo, August 8, 2007
World Bank chief pledges close cooperation with Japan, Media Corp Channel News Asia, August 8, 2007
Other resources
About APEC, APEC News and Media fact sheets (APEC website)
APEC in brief, APEC Study Center, Columbia University