STORY: Multilateralism more important than ever, says World Bank senior official
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 18, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:21
LOCATION: MUNICH, Germany
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 60th Munich Security Conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AXEL VAN TROTSENBURG, World Bank's Senior Managing Director
3. various of the 60th Munich Security Conference
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AXEL VAN TROTSENBURG, World Bank's Senior Managing Director
5. various of the 60th Munich Security Conference

STORYLINE:

Multilateralism is more important than ever in tackling a series of global challenges, including poverty reduction, a World Bank senior official has said.

Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank's Senior Managing Director, made the remarks Sunday on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AXEL VAN TROTSENBURG, World Bank's Senior Managing Director
"Clearly, what is concerning many countries, particularly in the Global South is that the Sustainable Development Goals are not making progress. We all hope particularly in terms of poverty reduction.  And that means that we have to show more international solidarity and also see how we can better cooperate with developing countries. Institutions like the World Bank like to see how we can better help developing countries also develop stronger and reduce poverty. We believe that there is a lot of room for all countries to contribute. We can only jointly solve these problems. We will not be able to be successful alone. Absolutely, what we feel is multilateralism is more important than ever."

The World Bank official spoke highly of China's success in poverty reduction and its contribution to global efforts in this regard.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AXEL VAN TROTSENBURG, World Bank's Senior Managing Director
"There's a huge success story in reducing poverty in China. But this is also an important signal to the world and the developing world that progress can be made within a generation. And that is, I think, a very positive message. Secondly, China has also joined the world of donor countries to help the poorest countries. We also believe that it's very important as a signal that it's going from recipient to donor. It's a very nice story."

The 60th edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) wrapped up its three-day gathering on Sunday, with participants calling for enhanced international cooperation to address the world's pressing challenges.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Munich, Germany.
(XHTV)