IN VIDEO MESSAGE, SECRETARY-GENERAL OFFERS TRIBUTE

 

TO JAMES WOLFENSOHN, PRESIDENT, WORLD BANK

Following is the text of the video message by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the tribute to James Wolfensohn, President, World Bank:

Dear Jim,

How do I sum up our years together?  Under your tireless leadership, guided by your sensitivity to the needs of the poor, the World Bank has truly focused on the human side of development.  You have transformed the institution into one that has campaigned against poverty, and I applaud your vision and courage.

As the Bank has become an ever closer partner of the United Nations, you and I have become ever closer friends.  Your wisdom, wit, humour and passion helped keep me going.  And the partnership you helped build up will keep us all going for a long time to come, as we pursue our vital mission to reach the Millennium Development Goals.  There is much to tell you, but for now, let me simply say:  thank you, Jim.

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