WASHINGTON D.C. / ZOELLICK

Speaking at the start of the IMF and World Bank's spring meetings, World Bank President Robert Zoellick says the global economic crisis demands more investment in safety nets and infrastructure to protect the poorest. Zoellick also expressed concern about G20 nations continuing with trade restrictions. WORLD BANK

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:32
• Production Date: 23 April 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: WORLD BANK
• Subject Topical: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; FINANCING; INTERNATIONAL TRADE
• MAMS Id: U090423c

Description

STORY: WASHINGTON D.C. / ZOELLICK
TRT: 2.32
SOURCE: WORLD BANK
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 23 APRIL 2009, WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES / FILE

Shotlist

23 APRIL 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES

1. Wide shot, exterior World Bank headquarters
2. Med shot, Zoellick entering press conference
3. Cutaway, cameramen
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“In London, leaders committed not to repeat the historic mistakes of previous eras. Since that G-20 meeting less than three weeks ago, nine G-20 countries have taken or are considering 23 measures that restrict trade at the expense of other countries.”
5. Cutaway, reporters writing
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“During the Asian crisis, there was a 22 percent increase in anemia among pregnant women in Thailand. In Indonesia, the average weight of children under three years old declined. These aren’t temporary blips on computer screens, the results can be lifelong. Safety net programs—school feeding programs, nutrition, conditional cash transfer projects, like those in Mexico and Brazil, cash for work—can blunt the worst effect of this crisis.”
7. Cutaway, journalists
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“In Latin America, we estimate countries can get 200,000 to 300,000 jobs for every 14 billion they spend in rural road maintenance projects initiated through micro-enterprises. This is why we have today announced a 554 billion infrastructure initiative which will be formally launched on Saturday.”

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2009, ETHIOPIA

9. Various shot, unloading cargo in docks

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2007, UGANDA

10. Med shot, boy lying down
11. Wide shot, hospital

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2007, TANZANIA

12. Pan right, from teacher to students

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2007, UGANDA

13. Med shot, women and beans

FILE – WORLD BANK – 2007, CHINA

16. Wide shot, people walking

Storyline

World Bank President Robert Zoellick today (23 April) spoke in Washington at the start of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank's spring meetings.

Zoellick urged G-20 countries not to repeat what he called the mistakes of the past.

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“In London, leaders committed not to repeat the historic mistakes of previous eras. Since that G-20 meeting less than three weeks ago, nine G-20 countries have taken or are considering 23 measures that restrict trade at the expense of other countries.”

Zoellick also warned against inaction.

He says that during past financial crisis, the debate about numbers silenced the debate about people. Governments sharply cut basic health, education and nutrition budgets, and the result was unrest, deprivation and even violence.

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“During the Asian crisis, there was a 22 percent increase in anemia among pregnant women in Thailand. In Indonesia, the average weight of children under three years old declined. These aren’t temporary blips on computer screens, the results can be lifelong. Safety net programs—school feeding programs, nutrition, conditional cash transfer projects, like those in Mexico and Brazil, cash for work—can brunt the worst effect of this crisis.”

Zoellick also argues that governments and others need to focus on agriculture. The World Bank is increasing support for agriculture from four billion US dollars to 12 billion over the next two years.

And, he says, infrastructure is key, to increasing agricultural production, creating growth and jobs.

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank:
“In Latin America, we estimate countries can get 200,000 to 300,000 jobs for every 14 billion they spend in rural road maintenance projects initiated through micro-enterprises. This is why we have today announced a 554 billion infrastructure initiative which will be formally launched on Sunday.”

During the Latin American and Asian crises, countries slashed investment in infrastructure, with negative long-term consequences. Today Zoellick praised China for investing in infrastructure, which has both created jobs and built a foundation for powerful growth.