Statement by Guy Parmelin at the 113th Meeting of the Development Committee on April 16, 2026

Overview & Synopsis

This statement, delivered by Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, on behalf of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Poland, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, to the 113th Meeting of the Development Committee on April 16, 2026, reaffirms strong support for a rules‑based multilateral system and the central role of the World Bank Group (WBG) in fostering resilience, inclusive growth, and job creation amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and overlapping global challenges. It strongly endorses job creation as a core development priority, emphasizing the need for more and better jobs to address rapid labor force growth, persistent informality, and rising vulnerabilities in developing and emerging economies. The statement welcomes the WBG’s three‑pillar Jobs Strategy, highlighting the importance of a dynamic private sector, macroeconomic stability, sound public finances, open markets, effective institutions, and access to finance particularly for small and medium‑sized enterprises. It underscores the value of business‑enabling reforms in job‑rich sectors while encouraging country‑specific, flexible approaches that address cross‑sectoral constraints and local conditions. The statement stresses that job quality, formality, rights at work, social dialogue, and social protection are essential for durable development outcomes. It highlights the WBG’s role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, fragility, conflict, and violence, advancing gender equality, and supporting country‑led transition pathways. It also underscores the importance of the Knowledge Bank, strong accountability mechanisms, partnerships across the multilateral system, and safeguarding IDA’s long‑term financial sustainability. The statement concludes by reaffirming commitment to close collaboration with the World Bank Group to deliver tangible, lasting development impact.