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European civil society backs Wolfowitz resignation calls and urges comprehensive reform of World Bank governance

19 April 2007

Open letter to European development and finance ministers.

19 April 2007

Dear Ministers,

European civil society backs Wolfowitz resignation calls and urges comprehensive reform of World Bank governance

Following the scandals that have further severely damaged the credibility of World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, European civil society groups call on their governments and the membership of the institution to start comprehensive reform of the Bank’s leadership selection process. The personal scandals enveloping Wolfowitz make his position untenable. We publicly criticised the appointment of Mr. Wolfowitz as the head of this very influential development institution. The time has come to make the multilateral system credible according to the fundamental principles of democracy and accountability.

In 2005 the European Parliament and nearly 2000 NGOs stated their concerns about the appointment of Mr. Wolfowitz. Two years on, his admitted irresponsibility in the Riza affair, poor judgement in appointing senior management, and inability to provide necessary leadership on a range of issues show those concerns were well founded. Disturbing evidence has also emerged of an increased politicisation that is affecting key policy and spending decisions, for example on reproductive health and energy. European governments must join others to demand Wolfowitz’s resignation and institute real changes.

We are concerned about the lack of a clear European position on the matter. European countries should express a strong common position urging the replacement of the president and reform of the leadership selection process. We are convinced that principled leadership will allow other members of the Bank to express their support for this position.

Therefore we urge you to instruct your representatives at board level to take such a joint position and move a board decision on the issue as soon as possible. At the same time a new open process for choosing his successor should be instituted.

The Development Committee communiqué issued on Sunday 16^th April said: “The current situation is of great concern to all of us. We expect the Bank to adhere to a high standard of internal governance". We agree: the Bank needs to practise what it preaches and there is only one way for this to be achieved. The decision is in your hands.

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