World Bank

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner met on Tuesday, June 12, with the candidate proposed by the US to be president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, who came to brief him on the main lines he plans to take.

The meeting was an opportunity to emphasize the World Bank’s fundamental role in promoting development and the fight against poverty, particularly in the African countries and in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, especially in the areas of health and education. The development of satisfactory health systems was discussed along with the usefulness of innovative financing mechanisms such as the tax on airline tickets earmarked for the international drug purchase facility, UNITAID.

Environmental issues were also discussed, specifically global warming and access to water resources.

The foreign and European affairs minister said France was ready to continue working closely with the Bank. He insisted on the need to improve the World Bank’s image, which must be closer to its beneficiaries, to strengthen the fight against corruption and better target projects to the development needs of populations. Lastly the minister emphasized the necessary coordination with other international institutions and with UN agencies.