Under President Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s dual-purpose new motto — “to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet” — has become gospel as the poverty-fighting lending institution broadens its remit to tackle climate change. But not everyone is a fan of this expanded new battlefront.
“My view is to stay focused on the core mission of development, and fighting poverty through development and … not have mission creep,” said Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Arkansas who was the featured speaker at Devex’s most recent U.S. Global Leadership Series discussion.
“Let's stay focused on the mission at hand, which is the health and well-being of people in our poorest countries in the world, and not be caught up with fads in New York, Washington, or Paris,” added Hill, who serves as vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees U.S. relations with multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.