Oslo - Norway, currently a member of the 24-member World Bank board, welcomed Friday the announcement that World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz would step down at the end of June. Minister of International Development Erik Solheim said the decision was "correct and necessary," citing the need to protect the World Bank's credibility, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported.
"For me, the main thing is that leaders of international organizations like the World Bank act in a manner that ensures credibility and trust in member countries and employees," Solheim said, adding it would "be difficult to restore trust in the current management" under the prevailing circumstances.
Solheim said that restoring trust in the World Bank was key so that the agency could "focus on its activities which is to combat poverty."
The Norwegian minister credited Wolfowitz with launching measures against corruption and highlighting the needs of Africa, and hoped the incoming president would continue that work.
Norway represents the Nordic and Baltic countries on the board.
