Devex: Opinion: 5 priorities for the World Bank’s new leader
Masood Ahmed, president of the Center for Global Development

“Despite critical commentary about his professional credentials and commitment to the multilateral system, David Malpass has been elected unopposed as the next president of the World Bank. … To win the support of all his 189 members, Malpass must now unambiguously endorse the bank’s role in helping the world meet five challenges. … First, he must prioritize support for Africa’s development and integration into the world economy. … Second, he must help middle-income countries make the right development choices. … Third, he must target the people affected by fragility, conflict, and violence. … Fourth, Malpass must look beyond borders. Whether it is preparing for the next pandemic, dealing with climate change, managing the ever-increasing flow of displaced people, establishing an international tax regime that limits avoidance through tax havens, or coping with the regulatory and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and other technological advances, action will need to be coordinated across countries and regions. … Finally, he must make sure that the bank is an active player in the debate on development best practice for the 21st century. … Malpass must clearly demonstrate that he understands the bank as a zone of mutual interest, where — with the earned trust of its shareholders — he can advance a global agenda that will benefit all” (4/8).