US wants G20 to help reshape multilateral development banks like IMF and World Bank

Washington: The US wants the G20 countries to help reshape and scale up multilateral development banks like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, a top White House official has said. White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby said on Wednesday the US will make it clear during President Joe Biden's visit to India that it remains committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving.

President Biden will arrive in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the G20 Summit. "One of our main goals heading into the G20 is to help reshape and scale up multilateral development banks like the IMF, like the World Bank," Kirby told foreign reporters at a news conference here on Wednesday.

"We know that these institutions are some of the most effective tools for mobilising transparent and high-quality investment in developing countries. And that's why the United States has championed the major effort that is currently underway to evolve these institutions so that they're up for the challenges of tomorrow," he said.

Biden has asked US Congress for additional funds for World Bank

Kirby said Biden asked the US Congress last month for additional funds that would have the impact of helping increase World Bank financing by more than USD 25 billion, and the US is working with its partners to see if they can pursue similar contributions. During his India visit, Kirby said, Biden will also be calling on G20 members to provide meaningful debt relief so that low and middle-income countries can regain their footing after years of stress on their economies and their people.

"We'll also be making progress on other key priorities, from climate to health, and as I said at the very top, digital technology. In addition, we'll spotlight the progress that we've been making on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment that the President calls PGII," he said.

Continued focus on Russia's 'illegal war in Ukraine': Kirby

Kirby noted that there will be continued focus on how the G20 deals with Russia's illegal and ongoing war in Ukraine. "The reality is that Russia's war has already had devastating social, and economic consequences, and the poorest countries on the planet are bearing the brunt of that," he said. During the summit, Biden will call for a just and durable peace one founded in respect for international law, the principles of the UN Charter, and the precepts of territorial integrity and national sovereignty, he said. "We will also continue to emphasise that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to redeem these principles," he said.

"Last, but not least, and this is certainly important that you'll see that the United States will make it clear that we remain committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving," said the White House official.

"The G20 itself, as a valuable and vital, as I said, venue, will be on the agenda. And in a sign of that commitment, the United States is looking forward to hosting the G20 ourselves in 2026," said the White House official.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 percent of the global GDP, over 75 percent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

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