The departure of Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank opens the door to new leadership to take the Bank and its vital Governance and Anti-corruption Strategy forward. Implementation of the strategy is critical if the Bank is to fulfil its mission of reducing poverty.
On 17 April, Transparency International (TI) called for the strategy to remain a top institutional priority. Its successful implementation requires the backing of a wide range of external and internal stakeholders, including governments and civil society, whose support has been called into question by the crisis. TI’s national chapters around the world are concerned that the Bank’s efforts to promote anti-corruption reform in their countries have been damaged and that urgent action is needed to restore the Bank’s credibility. The capacity of the Bank to engage with them and with other civil society organisations depends on new, dynamic and credible leadership.
But the strategy is simply a tool; without the solid commitment of the Board, president and staff to fight corruption throughout the Bank and its operations, it will be meaningless. Demonstrating that commitment means providing the necessary resources – financial and human – as well as ongoing consultations with civil society and the political will to stop loans when evidence of corruption emerges. It means focusing on prevention, coupled with the credible threat of enforcement.
See full Press Release.
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