World Bank Urges New Development Approach for Fragile States

World Bank President Robert Zoellick wants to revamp the multilateral poverty reduction strategy for conflict-torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. “This is about Securing Development – bringing security and development together first to smooth the transition from conflict to peace and then to embed stability so that development can take hold over a decade and beyond,” he said in an international security conference in Geneva. Zoellick mentioned 10 development priorities for fragile states including security, legitimacy of state and law, private sector enhancement and economic stability. (“Zoellick Calls for “Securing Development” To Help Poor Escape Conflict” – World Bank, Sept. 12, 2008)