Nordic-Baltic Governors Meeting with new World Bank Group President in Oslo

The main topics on the meeting agenda will be the World Bank reform process and support to Ukraine. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will represent Finland at the meeting.

The annual meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Governors to the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place in Oslo on 13–14 September. The new President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga will attend the meeting. This will be his first meeting with Nordic and Baltic ministers as President of the WBG. Banga began his term as President of the WBG in June, having previously served as President and CEO of Mastercard. Minister Ville Tavio will represent Finland at the meeting.

Topics on the meeting agenda include the ongoing reform process in the World Bank and the future of financing the sustainable development goals.

“Finland supports the reforms to the World Bank. We welcome the World Bank’s focus on effectiveness and efficiency. We give our strong support to the new President and his efforts to mobilize more private sector funding,” Minister Tavio says.

The Nordic-Baltic Governors Meetings will also discuss the World Bank’s support to Ukraine and the international impacts of Russia’s aggression.

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the World Bank has mobilized USD 37.5 billion to support Ukraine.

“It is important that the World Bank continue its strong support to Ukraine and to other countries suffering from the impacts of Russia’s aggression,” Minister Tavio says.

In Oslo, Minister Tavio will meet Norway’s Minister of International Development Anne Tvinnereim and all the other Nordic development ministers. He will also have meetings to discuss trade and economic relations between Finland and Norway.