|
world bank spring
meetings 2006
Discussion on energy and corruption in
the Development Committee
Excerpts from and summaries of relevant
statements on
energy and corruption
. (Most ministers
spoke on behalf of country groups, and not
just their own countries.)
Energy and Development:
Colombia
(chair of the
Development Committee): "Some Ministers find
the report to be biased toward the
development of alternative, renewable sources
of energy not yet commercially viable while
neglecting the bigger picture of aiming for
cleaner, more efficient traditional energy
sources."
Germany
:
Strong statement on energy, human rights, and
corruption issues. The World Bank paper is
biased in favor of conventional energy
supply, and neglects renewable energy. The
paper is too pessimistic about the
marketability of renewable energy. The Bank
should not play any role in nuclear
power.
Netherlands
: The Bank
report does not sufficiently address energy
for the poor, particularly in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
Russia
: The report
"seems somewhat biased towards the
development of alternative and renewable
energy sources". Climate is important, but
most clients attach a higher priority to
cheap energy. World Bank should not promote
energy technologies that are not commercially
viable.
Saudi Arabia
: The main
sources of energy will 'inescapably" remain
high-carbon. Danger that the World Bank
focuses too much on energy sources that are
"not commercially viable", perhaps in
response to outside pressure.
Brazil
: Strong
propagation of ethanol as a cheap source of
renewable energy. End-use efficient
technologies are "equally critical" as clean
energy sources. Hydropower also a renewable
source of energy, but private sector will not
play a major role in financing hydro
projects.
Peru
: Proposes to
eliminate the policy restrictions - and
particularly the "stringent social and
environmental safeguards promoted by the
IFIs" - for investments in large hydro and
gas projects.
Korea
: World Bank needs
to seriously engage in large-scale projects
even if they are unpopular in rich countries.
"Growth prospects for the poor cannot rest on
apparently easy but illusory options using
small scale renewables".
UN Under-Secretary General for
Economic and Social Affairs
:
Renewable energy sources have important
double dividends in reducing poverty and
greenhouse gas emissions. World Bank report
focuses on private sector financing and gives
less attention to energy for the poor.
Corruption:
Colombia
(chair of the
Development Committee): Ministers look
forward to "a more systematic approach to
address these challenges [of corruption] in
order to avoid inconsistencies in
decision-making. ... In view of the Bank's
core mandate of fighting poverty, some
Ministers caution against holding back
development efforts until the fight against
corruption has been won."
UK
: "Corruption derives
poor people of education, health care, proper
infrastructure and water, and makes people
across the globe cynical about development
aid." Calls on the Bank to develop a
framework on improving governance and
tackling corruption.
China
: Improving
governance requires growth, so emphasis on
good governance should not mean neglecting
[economic] development. "There is no such
thing as an idealized 'good' governance
system. ... The fundamental criterion in
judging the effectiveness of governance lies
in whether it will be able to enhance
economic development, political and social
stability and well-being of the people." IFIs
should "stick to the principle of
non-politicization" and fully respect the
sovereignty of recipient countries".
India
: "The issues of
governance and corruption are vital, but they
cannot replace the core of the development
agenda which is the support needed by the
vast multitudes of poor and downtrodden for
poverty eradication, education, health and
sanitation. These people with legitimate
aspirations cannot be asked to wait until the
fight against corruption has been won."
Press releases
on the World Bank
|
