Obama names health expert for World Bank
WASHINGTON -- Passing over better-known candidates, President Barack Obama on Friday nominated global health expert and Dartmouth College president Jim Yong Kim to lead the World Bank. It was a surprise pick aimed in part at fending off challenges from developing nations eager to end the U.S. monopoly of the top job at the international institution.
Obama's appointment all but guarantees Kim, a 52-year-old physician and pioneer in treating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the developing world, will take the helm of the World Bank. Though he was born in South Korea, he will extend a tradition of American presidents dating back to 1944.
The 187-nation World Bank focuses on fighting poverty and promoting development. It is a leading source of loans for countries seeking financing to build dams, roads and other infrastructure projects.
Several developing nations had sought to break the U.S. leadership streak when Bank president Robert Zoellick said he would step down at the end of June. That put Obama in the position of balancing his desire to see emerging economies step forward on the world stage and the pressures of an election year. His support for a non-U.S. candidate could have provoked criticism from Republicans.
As Obama announced the nomination from the White House Rose Garden, he tried to make the case Kim would be a committed representative of the developing world's interests. "Jim has truly global experience. He has worked from Asia to Africa to the Americas, from capitals to small villages," Obama said. "His personal story exemplifies the great diversity to our country. . . . It's time for a development professional to lead the world's largest development agency.
The World Bank's 25-member executive board will officially select a new president next month. Given that the United States has the largest percentage of the votes, Kim is expected to prevail. Still, there may be some resistance that the developing world should take the reins at an organization focused on addressing its needs.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
