U.S. Reps. McCollum, Brady Host Members Briefing With World Bank President Zoellick
U.S. Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Kevin Brady (R-TX), co-chairs of the Caucus for Congressional-World Bank Dialogue, today hosted a Members briefing with World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick. President Zoellick briefed Members on developments in the global economy, including the recent World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Turkey and last month's G-20 Meeting in Pittsburgh.
"If developing countries in Africa and elsewhere can get access to finance, then they can grow their economies and offer an alternative pole of growth that can provide jobs and opportunity in the developed world, including the United States," said President Zoellick. "The strong involvement of the United States in the World Bank helps ensure that it is sensitive to issues important to Americans -- such as environmental protection, government transparency and anti-corruption, support for women and girls in development, and the participation of civil society."
During the bipartisan caucus briefing, President Zoellick and Members discussed the recovery of the global economy and emerging issues such as trade, food security and climate change.
"Today, Members of Congress heard a clear message -- in a globalized economy, a real economic recovery must be global. I strongly agree with President Zoellick that the U.S. government needs to collaborate with the World Bank and international partners to increase efforts to stabilize and improve the lives of billions of people living in developing countries with investments in food security, basic health services and clean water. A global economic recovery that leaves billions struggling to survive is no recovery at all. I appreciate President Zoellick's ongoing commitment to engage Congress in dialogue through our Caucus," said Congresswoman McCollum, co-chair of the Caucus for Congressional - World Bank Dialogue.
"I would like to thank World Bank President Zoellick for taking the time out of his busy schedule to be here with us today. At this juncture, it is important to have a constructive dialogue, like the one here today, on issues such as increasing global trade flows and spurring economic development, which are critical to the international and U.S. economy," said Congressman Brady, co-chair of the Caucus for Congressional - World Bank Dialogue.
Founding Members, in addition to Reps. McCollum and Brady, include: Spencer Bachus (R-AL); Ander Crenshaw (R-FL); Joseph Crowley (D-NY); Rick Larsen (D-WA); Gwen Moore (D-WI), and; Mike Pence (R-IN). The mission of the Caucus for Congressional-World Bank Dialogue is to provide a forum for Members of Congress and congressional staff to engage with World Bank officials, parliamentarians and policy experts to exchange information, ideas and knowledge regarding global development and growth, overcoming poverty alleviation, and trade issues in developing and donor nations.