Improving human capital, reducing marine plastics and Annual Meetings key in the agenda
JAKARTA, July 4, 2018 – World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim arrived in Indonesia today on a three-day visit that will help highlight the country’s efforts to improve human capital and reduce marine plastic debris.
Kim will meet with President Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati and a number of cabinet ministers to discuss the Bank’s continued support to Indonesia’s aspirations to become one of the most prosperous countries in the world.
During his visit, Kim, a medical doctor, will witness firsthand some of the country’s efforts to reduce stunting. Indonesia has long been confronted with a major development challenge, with one third of children under five years old – nearly nine million children -- suffering from stunting. The Government of Indonesia has now made a strong commitment to address this issue under its national strategy to accelerate reduction of stunting which will be supported by the World Bank’s recently approved US$400 million project on nutrition and early-years intervention.
Kim will visit a clinic in Tangkil village, Bogor, West Java together with President Joko Widodo and then travel to Lombok with Vice President Jusuf Kalla to observe the work of Human Development Workers (HDW) program. Through HDW, members of the community are trained to provide crucial nutritional and health support to pregnant women and children under two.
“The most valuable resource that countries have is their people. Countries cannot develop human capital and ensure equality of opportunity without addressing chronic malnutrition and stunting,” said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group President. “Indonesia has the key ingredients to succeed: strong leadership and sustained commitment, financial and human resources at all levels of government, and a concrete plan.”
Kim will continue his visit to Bali to raise awareness around the challenges posed by plastic marine debris, which has become a global crisis. Indonesia is second only to China in its marine plastics problem. Of particular concern are microplastics in the food-chain, given Indonesia’s emphasis on increasing fish protein consumption to improve childhood stunting.
Kim will also observe preparations for the 2018 World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings which will be held in Bali in October.
“We are thankful for the Government of Indonesia and its people to host the Annual Meetings,” said Kim. “The event will showcase the renowned hospitality of the Indonesian people and is a testament to the important role that the country is playing on the international scene.”
The 2018 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund are expected to bring between 15,000 to 20,000 participants to Bali to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development and finance. The Meetings will also serve to showcase Indonesia’s development achievements to the world.
