BRIEF September 24, 2021

World Bank Group Senior Leadership Engagement at UNGA 76

The 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) convened on September 14, 2021 and ran through September 27, 2021. The focus of this year’s event was on "building resilience through hope – to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations.”

The World Bank Group was proud to join leaders from around the world to discuss the most pressing development issues facing countries and people around the globe today – from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and equitable access to vaccines in developing countries, to ensuring food security and access to clean and reliable energy for every person on the planet, and sustainable job creation and social protection.

During UNGA, World Bank Group President David Malpass spoke at several high-level events – urging countries with excess vaccine doses to share with those most in need, recommending governments ease trade and regulatory barriers on exports of vaccines and other crucial health supplies, and encouraging manufactures to scale-up vaccine production and access for developing countries.

"This pandemic will not end until everyone has access to vaccines. We’re urging countries with excess vaccine supplies to release doses quickly and transparently. "

David Malpass

President, World Bank Group

Throughout his engagement at UNGA, President Malpass stressed the importance of integrating climate and development, increasing climate financing, and working with governments to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Long Term Strategies (LTS) and other key documents to better address the challenges of climate change. This engagement included participation in a climate and development event hosted by COP26 President Alok Sharma, wherein the President reiterated the World Bank Groups commitment to align our financing with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and work with partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve livelihoods through adaptation – including a commitment to ensure at least 50% of climate finance will go toward adaptation and resilience over the next five years.

The President also explored several action areas to shift public and private financing toward more sustainable food systems – including the promotion of climate-smart infrastructure, the diversification and modernization of agriculture, and more investment in research and development and extension services.

During the high-level dialogue on energy, President Malpass spoke of the need to achieve greater energy access while reducing greenhouse gas emission, calling for low-carbon solutions to the base-load problem, encouraging more research and development to lower the cost of hydrogen and offshore wind, and reiterating the World Bank Group’s commitment to assisting client countries in reaching the Sustainable Development Goal of universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

At the high-event on Jobs and Social Protection for Poverty Eradication, President Malpass outlined five critical areas of focus as the world of work rapidly changes: promote structural reform and job creation in growth industries, adapt skills development to changing labor market needs, confront labor market inequalities head on, build social protection systems for all, and build on pandemic investments to build resilience against future crises.

President Malpass was joined by World Bank Managing Directors Axel Von Trotsenburg and Mari Pangestu, IFC Managing Director and Executive Vice President Makhtar Diop, and other senior leadership who, collectively, utilized this forum to further advocate for the World Bank’s primary mission of promoting growth and boosting shared prosperity. What follows is a synopsis of this engagement.

Strategic Engagement by World Bank Group President David Malpass at UNGA 76

Remarks on Vaccines, Energy, and Food Security

David Malpass: "The World Bank Group is strongly supporting widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in developing countries"
Remarks by World Bank Group President David Malpass at UN Food Systems Summit 2021
World Bank President David Malpass Discusses Energy Challenges, Opportunities for Progress
"It’s clear that transformative economic growth will be the ultimate driver of poverty reduction, but it’s critical that growth be inclusive and broad-based" - Remarks at High-level Event on Jobs and Social Protection for Poverty Eradication
BLOG: Solving the Vaccination Gaps

Bilateral Engagement

World Bank Group President David Malpass' bilaterals with: (Left to Right: Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, Panama President Nito Cortizo, and Peru President José Pedro Castillo Terrones).

World Bank Group President David Malpass' bilaterals with: (Top, Left to Right: CAR President Touadéra, International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter Maurer, President Phuc of Vietnam; Bottom, Left to Right: President Hassan of Tanzania, Colombian President Iván Duque, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen).

Social Media Engagement

David Malpass - President, World Bank Group

@DavidMalpassWBG

"Very constructive meeting with UNSG @antonioguterres today at #UNGA.The @WorldBank Group and @UN are working hard to increase COVID-19 vaccine access in developing countries & achieve results on climate mitigation & adaptation."

"Today, I was pleased to address the Global COVID-19 Summit at #UNGA. The @WorldBank welcomes the global target of having at least 70% of people vaccinated in all countries by UNGA 2022. My thanks to @POTUS for hosting & generous pledge of 500m doses for developing countries."

"Warm discussion this morning with President @LassoGuillermo of Ecuador. We discussed the importance of COVID-19 vaccination efforts, new trade agreements & the fight against malnutrition. The @WorldBank stands ready to support this agenda."

"To transform energy systems, we need solutions to be scalable, cost-effective & reduce greenhouse gas emissions. @WorldBank Group is committed to assisting client countries make progress toward #SDG7."

"It was nice running into @PMaurerICRC at #UNGA. We continued our discussion from last week on the importance of supporting basic health services in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world."

"Last night, I was pleased to meet with President Phuc of Vietnam. We discussed Vietnam’s reform agenda & priorities for economic recovery, the importance of debt transparency & the need for a timeline for phasing out the dependence on coal."

"Yesterday, I met with President @NitoCortizo of Panama. I thanked him for hosting the new @WorldBank ’s regional hub in Panama City, welcomed progress on COVID-19 vaccine deployment & work on the AML/CFT agenda."

"This afternoon, I was very pleased to meet with President Hassan of Tanzania. The @WorldBank is eager to support the people of Tanzania, which has huge potential for poverty reduction & inclusive growth."

"Good meeting today with President @PedroCastilloTe of Peru. We discussed the importance of supporting poor & vulnerable people, promoting growth & prosperity, safely reopening schools, sound macroeconomic management & a favorable business climate."

"The @WorldBank joins @UNICEF in urging governments to reopen schools as soon as possible. We are working with countries to aid their efforts to return students to in-person learning, which is critical to reduce learning poverty."

"This week, I enjoyed meeting with Australian Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP. We discussed COVID-19 response efforts for Indo-Pacific countries, debt relief & transparency, climate & the role of @WBG_IDA to support small states & preparedness."

"I was glad to see Colombian President @IvanDuque following his address on health, fiscal space, and climate to the #UNGA General Debate this morning. Look forward to seeing him again next month at our Annual Meetings."

"Happy to see @EU_Commission President @vonderleyenon the #UNGA sidelines. We discussed steps to increase COVID-19 vaccines access for Africa, closing the gap between vaccine donations & deliveries, and the breakdown of critical health services in Afghanistan."

"This morning, I was pleased to meet with CAR President Touadéra. We discussed @WorldBank support for critical development challenges in CAR. I expressed concern with the deterioration of security & urged progress toward peace & stability."

"Productive discussion today with Ministers Shraideh & Al-Ississ of Jordan.The @WorldBank Group looks forward to strengthening the partnership with Jordan to focus on creating jobs for growth & supporting refugees."

Mari Pangestu - Managing Director of Development Policy and Patnerships, World Bank Group

@Mari_Pangestu

"Developing countries are facing challenges that could greatly limit their economic recovery. @WorldBank is working with the @UN & partners to provide a robust recovery & help set a path for green, resilient & inclusive development, restoring momentum on the #SDGs."

"Our collaboration w/@UN has been the strongest in @WorldBank history. We've financed hundreds of #COVID19 related projects in vaccine delivery, procurement of medical supplies, education, & social protection. Many of these are being implemented by UN agencies. #UNGA #SDGMoment"

"Today I tuned in to what world leaders had to say about the promise of the #SDGs. Many thanks to @UN for inviting me to share my reflections. #SDGMoment #UNGA"