Statement in response to Ed Miliband taking up the post of UK Governor of the World Bank

Welcoming the news that the Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, will take up the post of UK Governor of the World Bank, Professor Lord Stern, Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said:

“The decision by Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary to take on directly the position of UK Governor of the World Bank sends a powerful and important signal. As a former chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank, I know that the UK can punch above its weight. But only if the leadership is there from the top. In recent years that has slipped. Ed Miliband will be restoring development and climate to the priority in our international relationships that they must have in a world facing climate and biodiversity crises and with real and growing threats to the well-being of the world’s poorest. His leadership will help demonstrate that strong and innovative investment in the technologies of the 21st century (not the dirty technologies of the 19th) in the developing world (and in the developed countries) really can drive sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth. This is a great start and a great signal from the new Foreign Secretary. Such leadership can help restore the UK to the leading positions on climate and development it once had. That will be excellent news for the world and very good for the UK.

“The appointment of Kirsty McNeil as Minister of State for International Development in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is a very strong sign of commitment to action in development and climate. In 2004/5 I led the writing of the report of the Commission for Africa which played a central role in the arguments and decisions of the G8 Gleneagles Summit in 2005. Kirsty McNeil was a leader in the extraordinarily effective ‘Make Poverty History’ campaign alongside Bob Geldof and Bono. I saw at first hand the major difference that movement made. She has also shown continuing commitment through her work with Save the Children. She is an excellent appointment. With Ed Miliband, Kirsty McNeil can move the UK back to centre stage on action on the crucial issues the world is facing on development and climate.”