To ensure the efficiency of the World Bank's governance and
anti-corruption strategy Chinese Minister of Finance Jin Renqing yesterday outlined a framework of
six principles.
Jin said at the 74th World Bank Development Committee meeting
that the bank's ability to substantively accomplish its governance
and anti-corruption goals hinged on whether the right strategy and
approach were in place.
In his speech Jin said the World Bank should abide by the
principle of non-politicization, stick to development as their core
mission and respect the countries they were working with. He also
called on the organization to evaluate its governance against
results on the ground.
"The effectiveness of the bank's governance strategy will have
to be evaluated and tested based on its actual contribution to a
country's economic development, social stability and improvement in
people's livelihoods," said Jin.
Other principles included focusing on areas where the bank had a
comparative advantage and could lead by example, Jin
observed.?
He also urged the World Bank to strengthen engagement with the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development partner
countries. Jin termed this "an issue of strategic importance." He
said, "This is essential for the bank to effectively fulfill its
mandate of promoting global development."
Jin also called on the international community to push for
substantial progress to ensure global energy availability and to
halt climate change.
The Development Committee, the World Bank's policy-setting body,
held its 74th meeting in Singapore yesterday. Participants focused
on topics such as governance, anti-corruption and the bank's
relationship with donors.
(China Daily September 19, 2006)