Wall Street Journal examines Jim Kim's nomination to head World Bank

Apr 10 2012

The Wall Street Journal reports that "[a] long list of development experts, government officials and news organizations around the world have mounted a rebellion of sorts" in response to the nomination of Jim Yong Kim, a global health expert and Dartmouth College president, to head the World Bank, as "[m]any of them say the two other candidates, Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo, are better qualified for the post." According to the newspaper, "The race marks the first time the selection of a World Bank president has been contested," but "[d]espite the controversy" surrounding the nomination, Kim "is still virtually certain to secure the post because of his support from the U.S., the bank's largest shareholder."

The article discusses how "[a] Wall Street Journal review of Dr. Kim's academic articles, testimony and other remarks over the past two decades show the global health expert has repeatedly pressed for more foreign aid to poorer nations, but [suggests he] has scant experience in many of the global lender's typical financial and economic concerns." The newspaper also includes quotes from several economists discussing Kim's nomination. The World Bank Board is expected to begin candidate interviews this week and announce the winner later this month, according to the Wall Street Journal (Reddy, 4/8).