NGOs urge open selection of World Bank President

In an open letter released shortly after the World Bank's announcement that its President Robert Zoellick will step down at the end of his five-year term on 30 June, a global coalition of development activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is calling on the World Bank's governors to ensure that the next president is chosen in an "open and merit-based process" that will give borrowing countries a major say in the selection. WDEV documents the letter.

Dear Governors

As you will soon have to make a decision about a successor to Robert Zoellick as World Bank President, we are writing to urge you to push for the selection of the best candidate through an open, merit-based, transparent process, and to ensure that developing countries play a central role in the selection process.

As you know, the Development Committee has endorsed an "open, merit-based and transparent selection process", most recently in April 2011. This underscored previous commitments by the G20, and if implemented would mark a vitally important break with past practice. To ensure the selection of the best candidate, with the legitimacy gained from the support of the wider World Bank membership, not just a powerful minority of countries, we believe three things are essential.

First, the candidate must gain the open support from at least the majority of World Bank member countries, and from the majority of low and middle-income countries. As the Bank only operates in developing countries, and has most impact in low-income countries, any candidate that was not supported by these countries would seriously lack legitimacy. In addition to encouraging developing countries to nominate their own candidates, the best way to ensure that developing countries play a central role throughout the selection process is for the successful candidate to be required to gain the support of a majority of both voting shares and member countries. This need not require any formal changes to the Bank's articles of agreement, but could simply be agreed by the Board, to build on the limited proposals agreed in April 2011. To make this work, countries would need to vote independently, not through their constituencies, and declare their support publicly. It is time for the US to publicly announce that it will no longer seek to monopolise the Presidential position.

Second, the selection process needs to be significantly strengthened. This should include: having a public application procedure open to anyone to apply; sufficient time to allow proper deliberation; interviews held in public; and open voting procedures.

Third, a clear job description and required qualifications should be set out, building on the short version outlined in 2011. Given that the World Bank has a mandate to focus on eradicating poverty and only works in developing countries, the new President should have strong understanding and experience of the particular problems facing those countries. The right candidate needs to be - and be seen to be - independent, and able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including civil society groups.

The World Bank needs serious and genuine reform. The selection of the new President is an essential place to start. We trust that you will take a leading role to ensure that promises for reform are honoured.

Yours sincerely

Endorsed by the following organisations

1. AFRODAD (African Forum and Network on Debt and Development), Africa region
2. Idasa - Economic Governance Programme, Africa region
3. Jubilee Australia, Australia
4. RESULTS International - Australia, Australia
5. KOO, Austria
6. Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh
7. VOICE, Bangladesh
8. 11.11.11, Belgium
9. CNCD - 11.11.11, Belgium
10. Halifax Initiative, Canada
11. IBIS, Denmark
12. CEE Bankwatch, Europe Region
13. Eurodad, Europe Region
14. INKOTA-netzwerk, Germany
15. WEED, Germany
16. National Insurance Academy, India
17. Public interest research centre, India
18. INFID, Indonesia
19. ActionAid International, international
20. Americans for Informed Democracy, International
21. CIDSE, International
22. Civicius, International
23. Gender Action, International
24. ITUC, International
25. New Rules for Global Finance Coalition, International
26. Oxfam International, International
27. Tax Justice Network, International
28. WFM - Institute for Global Policy, International
29. Debt and Development Coalition, Ireland
30. CRBM, Italy
31. JACSES, Japan
32. Fundar, Centro de Análisis e Investigación, México
33. Both Ends, Netherlands
34. Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development, Norway
35. The Norwegian Coalition for Debt Cancellation (SLUG)
36. Changemaker
37. Diakonia, Sweden
38. Action For Global Health, UK
39. Bond, UK
40. Bretton Woods Project, UK
41. CAFOD, UK
42. Christian Aid, UK
43. Compass, UK
44. Fairtade Foundation, UK
45. Health Poverty Action, UK
46. HelpAge International, UK
47. Jubilee Debt Campaign, UK
48. new economics foundation, UK
49. RESULTS UK, UK
50. Stop AIDS Campaign, UK
51. Center of Concern, USA
52. Friends of the Earth US, USA
53. Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, USA
54. RESULTS Educational Fund
55. Sisters of St Joseph of Springfield, USA
56. Ethical Markets Media, USA & Brazil

Endorsed by the following individuals:
Donald Sherk
Dr Robin Broad, International Development Program, American University
Hazel Henderson
David Shaman, B-SPAN Coalition

15 February 2012

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